Flashback: Oakleigh Cannons' Sydney FC Quarter Final KO
Rewind to 2022 when Oakleigh Cannons were one of the Australia Cup’s form sides - putting up big scorelines and a Quarter Final cupset over Sydney FC.
Following 5-0 and 5-3 wins over Bonnyrigg White Eagles and Brisbane City respectively, the Cannons carried their impressive momentum through to the Quarter Final stunning the A-League Men’s giants 2-1 at Jack Edwards Reserve in front of over 2,000 people.
With the teams set to lock horns again in the Australia Cup 2024 Round of 32, we look back at one of the great upsets in the competition.
Oakleigh Cannons Road to the semi-finals
The Cannons flew through the early stages of the Cup, accumulating 21 goals in their preliminary wins over Epping City, White Star Dandenong, Hume City and Melbourne Knights.
They carried this scintillating goalscoring form onto the national stage, winning 5-0 over Bonnyrigg White Eagles and 5-3 over Brisbane City to make the Quarter Finals.
Oakleigh’s form was a mere extension of their NPL Men’s Victoria performances, as their high goalscoring form also had them in the conversation for Victorian top-flight glory.
Joseph Guest netted three goals in these two games, while striker Nicolas Niagioran scored twice against Brisbane City in the Round of 16.
Teenager Anthony Pantazopoulos also made a name for himself in defence as well, with the left-sided defender eventually attracting the attention of Western Sydney Wanderers.
Sydney seeking fast start
Sydney’s 2021/22 campaign saw them go from finishing second in the standings and Grand Final Runners Up the previous season to languishing in eighth.
The Sky Blues had a big turnover in the offseason, losing stalwarts Milos Ninkovic, Kosta Barbarouses and Bobo, replacing them with European pedigree in Jack Rodwell, Robert Mak and Joe Lolley.
The Australia Cup 2022 offered the chance for the bright start the club needed for 2022/23.
And it looked like it was going that way as they reached the Quarter Finals, getting past the Central Coast Mariners 3-1 in a shootout after a 3-3 draw, and then defeating Bentleigh Greens 2-1.
With a host of star names and some results behind them, Sydney entered the match with Oakleigh as favourites.
Cannons firing in first half
Oakleigh took less than six minutes to snatch the lead when Wade Dekker bundled home a cross that Andrew Redmayne parried into his path.
It only got better from there for the Cannons as Chris Lucas managed to steer home Anthony Pantazopoulos’ driven ball across the box to double the lead.
The hosts took their two-goal advantage into halftime, leaving Sydney FC stunned and needing a spectacular comeback in the second half.
Sydney’s second-half barrage
The Cannon’s resilient defence kept Sydney at bay for most of the second period, but once the game entered the final 20 minutes, the Sky Blues’ surges forward increased.
Sydney found the net in the 71st minute when youngster Segecic scored, however, he was flagged offside.
The winger scored a goal that counted three minutes later, getting on the end of a well-worked Sydney move down the right to nod home at the back post.
The final 15 minutes were tense for Oakleigh as the visitors threw everything forward - including goalkeeper Redmayne for the final corner.
Oakleigh dealt with that final set piece and claimed a spot in the semi-finals.
What Happened After
Oakleigh Cannons gave Macarthur FC a tough time in the semi-finals as Joe Guest opened the scoring midway through the first half with a spectacular strike.
But Macarthur’s stars stepped up with five unanswered goals, leaving the Cannons no chance to get back into the fixture.
Oakleigh found success in the NPL Men’s Victoria though claiming Grand Final glory with a 5-0 thrashing of South Melbourne.
Sydney FC clicked into gear after this disappointing defeat, reaching the A-League Men Finals Series on the back of a five-game unbeaten run.
A win over the Wanderers in the Elimination Final set up a two-legged clash with Melbourne City, where a second-leg collapse from Steve Corica’s team ended their run.
